luck

Belly dance has had many highs and lows. Whether it’s due to the economy or just a natural cycling, we are on a down turn again. In times like these, we could all use a little luck to sustain us until the next boom.

Do you feel lucky? If so, great! Use that to your advantage. If not, here are some tips on how to make your own luck and get Lady Luck working in your favor.

See Yourself as Lucky
People who perceive that they are lucky tend to have better luck! They see opportunity in little things. They dismiss negative things as, “meant to be” or see it as one door closing so another can open. In other words, they are optimistic, open and adventurous. If they miss their train, they consider the possibility that it could be because they were meant to be right where they are, so they will look for the reason (opportunity) for why they should be where they are. More often than not, they find it. They are flexible and are open to the possibility that what they wanted could be surpassed by something even greater. Lucky people expect miracles, benefits, opportunities, money, favors, and coincidences and will take advantage of them because they feel they are meant for them.

Be Flexible and Focus on the Big Picture
Lucky people don’t sweat the small details. They may have a goal to be the best dancer they can be, but they don’t think limiting things like: I have to study with all the best teachers. When I am good enough, I have to work as a self-supporting professional dancer in a high profile show. Then, I have win a few titles. THEN, I can become a national workshop level instructor. No, Ms. Lucky is more flexible than that. She knows that success can come in many packages and by many routes. So instead of passing on a dance job that doesn’t fit her rigid plan for success, she takes it and let’s that be the thing that skyrockets her to stardom. She takes the road less traveled. Because it is the road less traveled, she’s more likely to be noticed there.

Work Softer, Not Harder
We’re all conditioned to believe that diligence pays off. We work, work, work conscientiously towards the goal. But, not the lucky girl. She’s not afraid to slack off sometimes and give herself a break. What works about that? You tend to see things you wouldn’t normally see. When you are so focused on the task, you see what is related to the task and may miss the big express train to success that has stopped right in front of you. I am not suggestion that you slack your way to success. No, I believe that success requires some effort on your part, but perhaps the biggest effort you need to exert is to relax once in a while. Smell the roses. Color outside the lines.

Don’t Accept Failure
Not meeting your goals happens. I don’t see it as failure. It’s just feedback. It’s not something that needs to break our spirit or cause us to quit. Thomas Edison created over a thousand light bulbs before he made one that was affordable, reproducible, profitable, and worked! He could only do that because he embraced the feedback that he gleaned from each attempt. He allowed himself to believe that each attempt brought him closer and closer. He didn’t see it as failure at all. Even if your dreams don’t work out, that doesn’t have to be failure. It could be a fun ride that leads to a new, exciting adventure. You can’t live in your dreams if you have all this baggage of regret and “what ifs.” Embrace the now. Love the adventure. Don’t let anything hold you back.

Say, YES!
If you could only have one tip that would transform you into Ms. Lucky, I’d say this one is it. The ability to say, “Yes!” I have seen some amazing dancers with tons of drive, natural beauty, and loads of talent walk away from their dreams because they could not say, “Yes.” There were too many unanswered questions, too much insecurity. I get that. It’s normal to feel anxious when a new opportunity comes along, but the lucky girl believes she can handle whatever happens. Because of this belief and her willingness to take on challenges, she becomes more capable. She weathers the storms and achieves her dreams.

You usually can’t live in the safety zone if you want to live your dreams. Dreams take risk. If they didn’t, we’d all be living our dreams. When opportunity knocks, say yes! Surrender to it. You will do alright.

None of these things require money, education, or anything that you don’t have right now. So, why not start changing your luck right now? All it takes is a change in attitude and a willingness to follow through.